GAMEDAY | Red Leafs face the Minutemen in second last game of the year

AMHERST, MA – After almost a month away from game action, SFU returns to the ice to wrap up the calendar year in the first of two in Massachusetts, starting on Saturday against UMass.

SFU looks to earn their first win against NCAA competition this year in Massachusetts starting on Saturday night against the Minutemen. The Red Leafs are 5-9-0 this year, with wins coming against USports, ACHA, and BCIHL competition, and while the team is still looking for their first win at the NCAA level, most games have been within just one goal. The Red Leafs have been lead by several stellar offensive performances by forwards Lucas Ceccarelli, Walker Erickson, freshmen Max Potvin and Zac Maxwell, and defenceman Caleb Huffman, with the five players combining for 65 points in the team’s first 14 games.

The UMass Minutemen have had limited success this year in conference with a 2-5-2 record, but a much more impressive non-conference record, winning 6 of their 8 non-conference matches so far. The Minutemen have also struggled at home, winning just 2 of those 7 games. The team will be without two key players who will be representing their countries at the 2025 IIHF World Juniors: forward Daniel Alexander Jencko (Slovakia) and goaltender Michael Hrabal (Czechia).

SFU PLAYER TO WATCH – Freshman forward Holden Cardinal has scored twice in three games since returning from injury, and will look to build on those totals this weekend. Cardinal currently has 6 points in 12 games, including 4 goals.

UMASS PLAYER TO WATCH – Sophomore Russian forward Aydar Suniev has found his game at UMass, potting 10 goals and 19 points in 17 games, and is on a point-per-game pace in his last 5. The former BCHL Penticton Vee is a +4 with 10 PIMs so far this year.

Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00pm Pacific time. UMass will not be broadcasting a video feed of the game, but fans can follow along via radio by tuning in to the WHMP 101.5 radio player online, or on social media on Twitter / X and Instagram at @SFUHockey for live updates and videos.

UMASS | LAST FIVE

12.11 vs. Boston University | 2-4 L

12.07 at Boston University | 4-0 W

11.29 vs. Army West Point | 3-1 W

11.24 vs. Vermont | 2-3 L

11.22 vs. Harvard | 5-3 W

SFU Red Leafs vs. University of Massachusetts Minutemen

⏰ 3:00pm PT

📍 Mullins Center; 200 Commonwealth Ave., Amherst, MA

📻 WHMP 101.5/1400 AM

‍